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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 18, how long has the American who Serena and others at MI5 listen to in Tapp's office worked for the CIA?

2. In Chapter 14 at the Portrait Gallery, what is Serena's favorite?

3. What is the weather like in Chapter 13?

4. In Chapter 13, what is the topic at Serena's work?

5. When does Serena travel to Brighton to meet with Haley in Chapter 11?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Tom's letter at the end of Chapter 13, what condition does he wish to impose on taking the money from the Foundation?

2. What rumor does Max share with Serena in Chapter 13?

3. What does Serena think about Tom's story Probable Adultery?

4. In Chapter 17, what does Tom confess over lunch before the holidays?

5. In Chapter 14, what does Tom say about his sisters?

6. At the end of Chapter 15, how does Serena feel about returning to London after a weekend with Tom?

7. In Chapter 15, how does Serena spend her weekends?

8. In Chapter 13, what is Serena thinking about Shirley?

9. What are working conditions like for Serena and the other girls at the beginning of Chapter 18?

10. In Chapter 11, through what process does Serena's letter to Haley follow?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ian McEwan uses artistic license when telling the story. How does McEwan use artistic license to make the story seem real? How does McEwan bend reality and use artistic license to advance the story?

Essay Topic 2

Serena’s father is kind, but remote. Why is he unavailable to Serena? How does the church symbolize the way that Serena’s father is not available for her?

Essay Topic 3

Both Serena and Tom have been deceitful with one another. How have they both been deceitful? How does deceit influence their relationship? How does deceit finally bring them together?

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